The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 24 - Farewell My Concubine

A/N: Idiom - Carved in bones and engraved in the heart. kè gǔ míng xīn

Meaning:  Deeply etched in one's life or memory, unforgettable

Chapter 24

Noble Consort Xingchen, posthumous would be known as Imperial Noble Consort Xingchen. Lan Wangji had Nie Huaisang announce his decree this morning before the funeral rites. Today he would be sending off the omega that had been by his side since before he became emperor. A constant and steadfast companion, Xingchen's calm and soothing demeanour was something he had come to cherish over the years.

Tradition would have the imperial noble consort buried in the imperial tombs, but unfortunately with the illness, all corpses that were infected needed to be burned. His heart was burdened knowing that the omega would never be entombed with their son.

His mind went back to the weeks preceding the illness. He was grateful to have spent that time with Xingchen. At first, he had gone to him to ease the heartache he felt from Wei Ying's betrayal. Over the weeks, Xiao Xingchen had helped soothe that heartache and he found the greatest comfort in the activities they engaged in. He came to realize that he did love Xingchen, a type of love that was rooted in friendship and respect.

The light blue scarf he held in his hands was embroidered with a silver moon and wispy clouds. It would be his last gift to Xiao Xingchen before saying goodbye. He folded the scarf carefully and placed it in his sleeve.

A light knock sounded on his door and he swallowed down the overwhelming ache in his chest. He wondered how much more he would lose before this night was over.

"Come in," he called out.

Wen Ning entered, his face serious and solemn. "All is ready, your majesty."

Lan Wangji nodded, taking in a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

*****

Wei Ying collapsed against the door after he heard the news about Xiao Xingchen. He had banged against the hard wooden surface, demanding to be let out so he could run to the Palace of Serene Light to see the noble consort. Devastated, he continued to cry and begged to see Xiao Xingchen, not wanting to believe the beautiful and gentle omega was gone. Eventually, it was A-Qing that had pried him off the door and guided him back into his chambers.

It took him two days to get out of bed. He held the poem Xingchen sent him in his hands. Tears fell each time he read it. At the time he had received the poem, he believed the poem was in reference to parting from his shixiong. Now that he read it over, something told him it was Xiao Xingchen's way of saying goodbye, not just to Song Lan, but to him and this life.

Several days after the noble consort's death, A-Qing revealed that Xiao Xingchen had hidden his illness. He hadn't suffered any of the symptoms of fever or stomach pain so no one knew. In his last days, the noble consort locked himself in his chambers and allowed no one to enter. His servants obeyed, leaving food and water for the noble consort. As the food and water was always consumed, the servants were not overly concerned and assumed the noble consort just wanted to meditate. It was only when the morning meal was left untouched that a servant dared to enter the noble consort's personal chamber. They had found Xiao Xingchen lying on his bed, the black lines of the illness clear on his neck and face. The servant ran out of the room screaming for the imperial doctor to be summoned. Wen taiyi arrived and moments later she pronounced Noble Consort Xingchen to be dead. The body was immediately removed to avoid contamination and was to be prepared for cremation.